Sounds Like The Next-Gen Porsche 718 Will Get Another 911 Engine
October is the final month of production for the current Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman after the automaker stopped taking orders early last month—ending the chapter for the brand’s accessible mid-engine sports cars.
Key Points
- Production of the current Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman ends this month, closing out a major chapter for the brand’s mid-engine sports cars.
- Porsche plans to revive combustion power for the next-generation 718 lineup using a new hybridized flat-six derived from the 911 GTS, marking the end of the four-cylinder engine.
- The new 718 range will include both fully electric and hybrid gasoline models—EVs will arrive first, while hybrid “halo” versions like the Spyder RS and GT4 RS successors are expected later in the decade.
Initially, Porsche had planned to replace the 718 lineup with electric-only successors— but we all know how that's going. The automaker recently announced it would launch the next-generation Boxster and Cayman with both pure electric and combustion powertrains, with the gas-powered models expected to crown the model lineup.
A new report from Autocar suggests the ICE models may not be entirely traditional. Instead, they could adopt a T-Hybrid system, similar to the one introduced in the 911 GTS. The setup would use a compact 3.6-liter flat-six paired with a 1.9-kWh battery and an electric motor integrated into the turbocharger, delivering instant torque and improved emissions performance without excessive weight—the system would add roughly 100 pounds compared to a standard engine.
Porsche has reportedly decided not to rework its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to meet the tighter Euro 7 emissions standard, effectively ending the four-cylinder era for the Boxster and Cayman.
Because hybrid power wasn’t part of the 718’s original replacement plan, the new gas-powered models won’t arrive until near the end of the decade. In the meantime, Porsche will roll out the electric 718, which will share architecture with the upcoming Audi Concept C production car.
As for branding the next-gen cars, Porsche is likely to use its heritage-rich badges, such as the GTS, Boxster Spyder RS, and Cayman GT4 RS, for the new top-tier combustion models. Electric models are less straightforward, but they will likely follow the same formula Porsche used on its other EVs, the Taycan and Macan.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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Used to be an iconic and unique brand, now they are all over the place. Macan is a higher powered Tiguan for 2x the price. Cayenne is a Q7/Q8 and SQ7 providing way more value than the GTS or Turbo. Throw in the $30k in options you need plus some tariffs and time to look elsewhere.
No one wants the EVs, they won't sell well at all.